A PROTEST petition about the ambulance service in the Dalbeattie area has reached 300 signatures.

Joseph and Anthony Duncalf started the campaign following “a 40-minute” wait for an ambulance after they had discovered an elderly neighbour collapsed in her home.

The pair immediately called for something to be done and set up the petition – available online and in paper form – in a bid to secure better ambulance cover in the area.

The petition has gathered more than 100 signatures, meaning it will automatically be sent to Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon.

Joseph and Anthony have also placed petition forms around Dalbeattie and have already collected one fully signed sheet, with 200 names.

Joseph, a Keith Lemon lookalike, said: “We have had more than 300 signatures altogether so far and that is after only collecting one sheet.

“Sadly, we never heard back from the ambulance service and many of the politicians we wrote to.

“Councillor Rob Davidson has, however, written to Nicola Sturgeon and Councillor Ian Blake has pledged his support, should he be re-elected.”

Joseph’s partner Anthony added: “When we have collected all the signatures, we hope to deliver it personally.”

The petition has also gathered support from the town’s community council.

On signing the online petition, community council chairman Erica Johnson said: “We have long been concerned about poor provision of ambulance services for our town, but no-one will listen to us.

“Anyone having a major heart attack or stroke has no chance of help getting to them in time to save their life. Even more minor things will have become major health risks by the time an ambulance or medic arrives.”

A spokesman for the Scottish Ambulance Service said: “The average response time for a life-threatening emergency in Dalbeattie is 12.5 minutes and for a serious, but not life-threatening incident, 13.7 minutes.

“We would be happy to meet with the community to discuss in detail with them how ambulance cover is managed for Dalbeattie.”